Pakistan must lobby actively for Kashmir.

Byline: Ashraf Javed

LAHORE -- Distinguished speakers paid rich tributes to human rights champion Asma Jahangir for dedicating her life to service of humanity, particularly marginalised communities.

A good number of politicians, diplomats, lawyers, judges, journalists, activists, and students from different countries participated in the 'Asma Jahangir Conference - Roadmap for Human Rights' at a local hotel on Saturday.

The second edition of the two-day moot that held under the aegis of AGHS, Pakistan's first and leading law firm founded by Asma Jahangir in 1980 to provide free legal representation to the vulnerable.

The conference began with a minute of silence to mark the expulsion of Mr Steven Butler, Head of the CPJ Asia, from Pakistan. Authorities had deported Mr Butler from Lahore airport citing his name on the 'stop list' early this week.

European Union Ambassador (designate to Pakistan) Dr Bahia TahzibA!A!-Lie addressed the inaugural session 'Asma's Legacy: Speaking truth to power' on first day and paid rich tributes to late Asma Jahangir for her services and commitment in protecting human rights. Several foreign delegates also highlighted their work with Asma Jahangir and the centrality of human rights issues to sustainable development around the world.

While addressing different sessions of the conference, the panels discussed at length topics such as freedom of electronic and print media, human rights crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, opportunities for women in the field of law, upholding the rule of law, conflict in Afghanistan, and the global experience of women in the legal profession.

The panel on 'Human Rights crisis in Jammu and Kashmir' included Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider, former foreign minister Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, British Author Ms Victoria Schofield, Kashmiri journalist Tariq Naqash and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front spokesperson Rafiq Dar.

Raja called for solid steps to help Kashmiris get freedom in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. He said that Pakistan's government failed to do anything concrete except holding seminars and speeches despite the ongoing curfew in Indian Occupied Kashmir imposed by army 76 days ago.

The AJK PM said that the sufferings of the people of Kashmir could not be explained in words since Indian Prime Minister Modi had been implementing his evil plan step by step. He also came down hard on the Pakistani government for doing nothing and just demanding India to lift the...